You’ve purchased a 3D printer. You’ve had your students complete tutorials on CAD software. Now what? What’s the best way to built your students’ abilities on the software, and get them ready to create on their own? A great way to begin a 3D printing unit is to start a design challenge using a 3D printer.

Design Challenge 101 (a quick refresher)

A design challenge is an open-ended project that encourages students to ask questions, take the initiative, and think creatively. With a design challenge, teachers can engage students in problem-solving, collaboration, and technology tools – and it encourages a deeper connection to the learning process. Design challenges guide students through the engineering design process. A design challenge is often shaped by specific parameters that students must adhere to (for instance, the final size of the object, or the amount of material being used), and is an excellent tool to expose students to a new way of thinking. Rather than being defined by yes/no answers and strict steps, the engineering design process is flexible, without a specific starting and stopping point, and adapts to the needs of the project.

Three Design Challenges Using a 3D Printer

How do we bring design challenges into the classroom in a way that is relevant for students? Here are three simple ideas for design challenges using a 3D printer that are open-ended, creative, and get your students working hands-on with each other – and the 3D printer.

1. Start with the basics: Custom Keyring

This simple project allows students to creatively express themselves – and engage in the design and printing process – by customizing their own keyring. Students can design and print a keyring with their initials, their favorite sports team, and anything in between. This project encourages students to create an original design, and to think about scale and functionality when they’re designing. Most importantly, this project teaches students the basics of a design challenge and gets them comfortable with how 3D printing works.

2. Put on Your Thinking Cap: Identify a Problem, Create the Solution

A design challenge is the perfect way to engage students in problem-solving. Turn your students into detectives! Have them identify a common problem around your school and then have students create a design to solve it. Most likely, this will come in the form of a simple machine. Door won’t stay open? Create a door stopper. Windows too heavy to lift? Make a lever. Whatever the application, encourage your students to come up with creative ideas that can be printed and tested. The design can be tweaked and reiterated until it solves the problem; this is the engineering design process at work!

3. Master Level: Design a Scale Model

This may be the most difficult of the design challenges presented here. It will test your students’ skills and have them fully engaged in the engineering design process. Designing a scale model is a great way to incorporate Math and Engineering into your 3D printing, as this project will require that students take and convert measurements to ensure that their model is accurate and built to scale. While it may seem nearly impossible to reconstruct something like the White House, students can start with a more simple structure, or perhaps their own house or school building.

We’ve Got Resources!

We hope these ideas help you get the ball rolling with 3D printing in your classroom. If you’re looking for more information around design challenges, check out our Online PD courses or download our eBook “Why 3D Print in the Classroom?” for great info and ideas. Other resources we love for 3D printing project ideas are YouMagine.com and Thingiverse.com.